Save documents as a package or a single file in Pages, Numbers, or Keynote

Save documents as a package or a single file in Pages, Numbers, or Keynote

If you’re working in Pages 5.5 or later, Numbers 3.5 or later, or Keynote 6.5 or later and have created a file that is larger than 500 MB, saving it as a package helps the app you’re using perform better. A package is a collection of files that your Mac reads as one file. By default, these versions of Pages, Numbers and Keynote auto-save files to the hard drive as a single file.

If you experience app performance issues and you aren’t planning to send or store the document using a third-party (non-iCloud) Internet service, then save as package. Otherwise, it’s best to save as a single file.

Save as a package or a single file

If your document, spreadsheet, or presentation is 500 MB or larger you might see a message:

Pages 5.5 or later: “Would you like to save this document as a package?”

Numbers 3.5 or later: “Would you like to save this spreadsheet as a package?”

Keynote 6.5 or later: “Would you like to save this presentation as a package?”

Choose Keep Single File if:

You plan to send your document to an non-iCloud Internet service such as iTunes U, Dropbox, Gmail, or another site where you upload files through your web browser.